Bruce Trail

General Information

Niagara's section of the Bruce Trail will take hikers on a journey starting at he historic site of Queenston Heights, a key battlefield of the War of 1812.

Hikers will experience the Niagara Escarpment's beautiful views and the lovely and serene settings of Niagara Conservation Areas, which may not have existed if it weren't for the creation of the Bruce Trail.

Some portions of the Bruce Trail pass through the developed regions of Niagara in Thorold and St. Catharines, and into rural settings that nurture and grow much of Ontario's tender fruits and grapes.

The Bruce Trail holds a legacy of being "Canada's oldest and longest foot path" which follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment from Queenston in the Niagara Peninsula to Tobermory in the southern region of Georgian Bay. While remaining a very popular attraction in Ontario, many don't realize over half (53%) of the land on the Bruce Trail is still not safe from development.

Photo Gallery

Directions

From Toronto:
QEW towards Niagara

Cross the St. Catharines Garden City Skyway

Keep left for Highway 405

Exit for Stanley Avenue

Left on Stanley Avenue and pass over Highway 405

Right Portage Road

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit into Queenston Heights Park

First left into large main parking lot

Bruce Trail cairn is in the south east corner of this parking lot, right in front of the roundabout

This is the southern terminus of the Bruce Trail!

Historical

"One location in Lincoln has great historical significance for the Bruce Trail. On March 25, 1962, Bert Lowe, the founder of the Niagara section, painted the first blaze on a tree on the farm of Delby Bucknall, reeve of what was then Clinton township. He went on to lay out and blaze the rest of the trail from Grimsby to Queenston, over the next few months.”

“To commemorate that event, in April 2006, the executive of the Niagara club posted a sign designating the site of the first blaze on the Bucknall farm.” Rae, Keith. Past President, Niagara Bruce Trail Club. Hiking Gem on Town's Doorstep. Niagara This Week.

Recreational Uses

Birdwatching

Hiking

Photography

Adjacent Land Uses

The Bruce Trail, for the most part runs through private property, residential and agricultural. These land owners have graciously agreed to let the Bruce Trail pass through their property, so it's imperative that those of that use it, treat their gift with respect.

If we leave the trail, we are actually trespassing and might jeapordize the future of the trail being allowed in that location. The whole idea is to be able to walk along the edge of the escarpment and when the trail has to be moved away, due to abuse of the privilege, it's a real break in the continuity of the trail. If you dig up plants for your garden, pick flowers for a bouquet or pluck ripening fruit from the vine or an orchard, you are stealing. You are damaging natural ecosystems and hurting farmers' incomes.

Further Information

Niagara Nature Tours offers private hikes and walks from one person or a couple, to large groups. Based on ecotourism guidelines, these natural history outings can be geared towards children through to professional groups.Call to organize a wheelchair accessible outing, a moderate hike with plenty of chances to rest and take photos, or ask for a strenuous adventure hike.

Accessibility

The cairn can be easily viewed from the parking lot and the beginning of the trail is along parking lot and asphalt walkways. The entrance of the trail into the woodland is flat and consists of hard packed earth that might be accessible for scooters and wheelchairs.